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Funding for AP Students with Financial Need

Thanks to funding support from the federal government, states, and College Board, there has been a significant increase in AP participation by students with financial need. The number of U.S. students with financial need taking an AP Exam has grown from 557,434 in 2016 to 877,703 in 2026—an increase of 57%. On this page, "students with financial need" refers to students who are eligible for the College Board AP Exam fee reduction. See AP Exam Fee Reductions for full eligibility criteria.

In 2026, students with financial need represented 27% of all U.S. AP Exam takers, collectively taking 1.56 million AP Exams.

College Board remains committed to ensuring access to the benefits of AP for students with financial need. College Board will provide a $37 fee reduction for each 2027 AP Exam taken by eligible students. Schools are expected to forgo their $9 rebate for these students, resulting in a cost of $53 per exam.

From 2022–2026, the AP Exam fee reductions provided by College Board for eligible students totaled $235 million.

Funding Sources for AP Exams in 2027

Title IV, Part A Grant Program (Every Student Succeeds Act)

For the 2026-27 school year, the Title IV, Part A Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants program has been funded at $1.4 billion by Congress in the federal fiscal year 2026 budget. The vast majority (95%) of this funding will go to districts; states may reserve 1% for administrative purposes and an additional 4% for state-level activities.

States and districts may use Title IV, Part A funds for the following AP-related activities:

Provide funding to cover part or all of the cost of AP Exam fees for students with financial need in all schools (not just Title I schools);
Increase student access to, and improve student achievement in, postsecondary level instruction and exams, including AP; and
Fund specific AP courses/exams.

The Title IV, Part A funding distributed to states in 2026 can be used for AP Exams taken in May 2027.

States and districts receiving funds under Title IV, Part A must provide equitable services to students and teachers in private schools.

Title I Grant Program (Every Student Succeeds Act)

For the 2026-27 school year, the Title I Program has been funded at $18.4 billion by Congress in the federal fiscal year 2026 budget. Districts or schools receiving Title I funds may use those funds to cover AP Exam fees for eligible students. The funds must be used to supplement and not supplant any state or local funding for AP Exams.

States may also set aside 3% of their fiscal year 2026 Title I funds to provide grants to school districts for Direct Student Services, which include covering AP Exam fees and providing AP courses not currently offered.

State and Local Funds

Many states and districts cover part or all of the costs of their students’ AP Exams by using state funds and local funds. For details about each state’s funding policies, see AP Exam State Assistance.

Act Now to Protect Funding for Students with Financial Need

To ensure that students with financial need receive funding to reduce the cost of their AP Exams, state and district leaders must act.

Here are steps you can take now to protect and expand AP access for students with financial need for the 2026-27 school year and beyond:

Announce your commitment to fund 2027 AP Exams for students with financial need.
By publicly announcing your state's or district's commitment to make 2027 AP Exams free or affordable for students with financial need, you can guarantee access to AP.
In addition to providing state funds, a state may use Title IV, Part A funds or Title I funds to cover AP Exam fees for eligible students in 2027.
Your announcement—on your state or district website, newsletter, or other channels—will reassure students and families that AP is still available to them and will also protect the progress your district or state has made to close AP equity gaps.
Urge state and district leaders to protect access to AP.
We recommend that you encourage your state and districts to prioritize AP Exam fee funding for students with financial need. You can visit your state's department or board of education website to learn more about how to provide feedback, including key dates.

States Are Acting

See which states have announced their commitment to fund 2027 AP Exams.